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Home / Washington Business - November/December 2004 / McDonald Receives 2004 Matson Award |
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McDonald Receives 2004 Matson Award |
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Written On: November/December 2004 |
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Former State Sen. Dan McDonald (R-Bellevue) was chosen by the Association of Washington Business (AWB) to receive its prestigious 2004 Matson Award honoring the state legislator who has consistently supported issues important to Washington’s employers and the state’s competitiveness.
It is the highest award a legislator can achieve at the Association of Washington Business, Washington’s oldest and largest state-wide business association. The award was presented Sept. 23 at AWB’s Annual Policy Summit at the Inn at Semiahmoo near Blaine.
The Matson Award is named in honor of the late Sen. Jim Matson (R-Selah) who was a veteran state legislator and member of the Association of Washington Business. It was established following Matson’s death. Matson, who owned and operated Matson Fruit Company, Selah, also served on the Association’s Executive Committee during the 1970s and 80s.
McDonald was first elected to the House in 1978 and moved to the Senate in 1985. He was elected as Senate Republican Leader in 1995 and became Majority leader in 1997. McDonald retired from the Legislature after the 2002 session and works at an engineering firm in Bellevue.
“Over the years, Dan McDonald has been a stalwart for employers and promoting jobs. He is an able leader and a lawmaker who inspires other elected officials. He has introduced many crucial pieces of legislation that have increased our state’s competitiveness and helped small businesses compete. We feel honored to award him the Jim Matson Award.” AWB President Don Brunell said.
McDonald, who represented the 48th district for more than a quarter century, is a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Washington and earned a masters in economics from UW as well. He and his wife, Janie, have two grown sons and lived Bellevue for over 30 years. McDonald also was a naval officer during the Vietnam war.
McDonald was also a gubernatorial candidate and ran for the First Congressional District seat.
Previous Matson Award Winners
1995 Speaker Clyde Ballard (R-Wenatchee)
1996 late Sen. Irv Newhouse (R-Mabton)
1997 late Sen. George Sellar (R-Wenatchee)
1998 Sen. Ann Anderson (R-Acme)
1999 Rep. Tom Huff (R-Gig Harbor)
2000 Rep. Barb Lisk (R-Zillah)
2001 Rep. Gary Chandler (R-Moses Lake)
2002 Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-Potlatch)
2003 Sen. Jim West (R-Spokane)
2004 Sen. Dan McDonald (R-Bellevue)
The Matson Award is one of only five major awards presented by the Association of Washington Business each year. It is the only one which goes to a state legislator — past or present.
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